Emphysema sufferer still hitting the gym at 76!
This 76-year-old Emphysema sufferer has proven age has no barrier for keeping fit.
Twice weekly, Des Jones attends Carmarthen Leisure Centre for his workout session hooked up to an oxygen bottle and nose tubes.
The grandfather works the treadmill, hand bikes and does standing push ups as part of his hourly sessions at the centre.
Twice weekly, Des Jones attends Carmarthen Leisure Centre for his workout session hooked up to an oxygen bottle and nose tubes.
The grandfather works the treadmill, hand bikes and does standing push ups as part of his hourly sessions at the centre.
He also does twenty minutes of gently exercise three times a week from home.
Before he joined the gym the pensioner was unable to walk around a supermarket without his oxygen bottle and had to take rest stops. Now he is able to walk unaided.
Des said: “With my condition I was rapidly getting out of breath and found it difficult to even get out of the car. Since I’ve been exercising, tasks which I found very difficult before are now a lot easier and I’m much stronger.
“Before going to the gym I enjoyed cooking in the kitchen but had to stop as I was constantly attached to the oxygen bottle and it couldn’t be exposed to heat. But now it’s a thing of the past, I don’t need it and I’m back doing what I love.
“My condition has improved hugely and I don’t need to use the oxygen as often as I used to - it’s all down to exercising and keeping active.”
The former economics teacher was referred to the leisure centre health club by his GP following his diagnosis of the lung condition, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Before he joined the gym the pensioner was unable to walk around a supermarket without his oxygen bottle and had to take rest stops. Now he is able to walk unaided.
Des said: “With my condition I was rapidly getting out of breath and found it difficult to even get out of the car. Since I’ve been exercising, tasks which I found very difficult before are now a lot easier and I’m much stronger.
“Before going to the gym I enjoyed cooking in the kitchen but had to stop as I was constantly attached to the oxygen bottle and it couldn’t be exposed to heat. But now it’s a thing of the past, I don’t need it and I’m back doing what I love.
“My condition has improved hugely and I don’t need to use the oxygen as often as I used to - it’s all down to exercising and keeping active.”
The former economics teacher was referred to the leisure centre health club by his GP following his diagnosis of the lung condition, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Under the National Exercise Referral Scheme (NERS) the father of one was provided with a specialist fitness programme and supervised by the centre’s instructors.
The results prompted his 72-year-old wife to sign up and now they both work out alongside each other.
“Visiting the centre is not only a place for exercising but it’s the perfect place to meet new friends. The staff are wonderful here and I enjoy every minute,” he said.
“Exercising is now a big part of my life and I will continue until I fail. If I can do it at my age and in my condition anyone can.”
“Visiting the centre is not only a place for exercising but it’s the perfect place to meet new friends. The staff are wonderful here and I enjoy every minute,” he said.
“Exercising is now a big part of my life and I will continue until I fail. If I can do it at my age and in my condition anyone can.”
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